The tiny farming community of Silkwood in far northern Queensland and the town of Sant’Alfio, which sits on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, both dedicate the day to the Feast of the Three Saints - Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino.
The Feast of the Three Saints is an age-old tradition in Sant’Alfio, commemorating the three brothers who were brutally martyred in AD 253 for refusing to denounce their Christian faith.
But how did this sombre celebration make its way to a rural Australian town with a population of around 800?
It all began in 1936, when a Sicilian migrant and local cane farmer by the name of Rosario Tornabene married the love of his life, Alfia Patti, who also hailed from the southern island.
Three years later, Alfia gave birth to their daughter and complications during childbirth led her to fall severely ill and face death.
Distressed at the thought of potentially losing his wife, Rosario fell into a restless sleep, dreaming of the Three Saints, who appeared in a familiar form - that of the statues housed in the church of Sant’Alfio in Sicily.
The martyred brothers assured Rosario that Alfia would be alright and told him not to be afraid.
When he awoke from his slumber, the desperate farmer made a promise to the Saints that if his wife survived, he would have their statues brought to Silkwood from Sicily.
When the Saints’ prophecy came true and Alfia’s health was restored, Rosario became obsessed with fulfilling his vow to the Saints.
A few years passed, and personal troubles prevented Rosario from making his dream a reality.
But, as they say, timing is everything.
When the parish priest, Father Natali, realised the need to organise events that would attract Italian migrants back to the church and give people something more to live for than work, Rosario’s intention to bring the statues to Silkwood resurfaced.
With his hope restored, the devoted migrant allocated his entire share of his father’s property to the cause, and had an old artisan in Giarre carve exact replicas, but on a smaller scale, of those housed in the church of Sant’Alfio.
The statues were brought over to Silkwood, and the community’s first Feast of the Three Saints took place in 1950.
Now in its 67th year, the Feast of the Three Saints has evolved from a humble festival which was celebrated by migrants from Sant’Alfio to a major event which attracts thousands of people from all backgrounds and all over Australia, including a busload of Melburnians.
The festival’s president, Alfio Strano, said the committee is now made up of 81 members from across Queensland, the youngest 18 years old, all of whom are dedicated to ensuring the event’s longevity.
Born to parents of Sicilian origins, Mr Strano grew up surrounded by Sicilian culture and traditions, and has been a member of the festival's committee for 34 years.
Over the decades, Mr Strano has come to appreciate the sheer significance of the festival within the community of Silkwood.
“On the day, we have up 5000 people visit and it really boosts the economy of the township,” he said.
Those who are lucky enough to venture up north to witness the occasion can expect to experience an authentic festival which replicates the original event in Sant’Alfio as closely as possible.
Much like the one set against the backdrop of Etna, Silkwood’s Feast of the Three Saints features a holy mass, a street procession of the statues, a spread of traditional Italian fare, a jaw-dropping fireworks show and singing and dancing into the night.
Don Giuseppe Garozzo, a priest from Acireale, will also fly out from Sicily to concelebrate the mass with Silkwood’s local priest and participate in the procession of the statues.
It’s not the first time a Sicilian priest or bishop has made their way to northern Queensland for the festival, and two years ago, Mr Strano and a group of fellow committee members were invited to Sicily for a tour of the entire island and an audience with the Pope.
“They really turned it on for us and gave us an overwhelming welcome,” Mr Strano recalled.
It seems that faith can foster even the most unlikely connections, and these two towns, on opposite sides of the world, have kept their bond alive for almost 70 years thanks to their mutual devotion to three brothers.
